when one has not lived certain aspects there is nothing to letgo in sanyaasa. the systemic exclusion causes disjunctures of experiences& demands that become irrelevant. analogy-one who was blocked from working at a jobs outside home cant give money. there are many such issues where healthy growth of communities can be inferred. Your writing adds to one of the many good foundational reference for understanding& practice in sanatana for a young gen.
also notice the weaponised systems [ greed, race ( not to be mistaken for only white vs rest of the world there are many others who call other cultures as slaves,) etc] attack grihasta& brahmacarya stages. it disturbs the experiential learning in communities.
Thank you, this really matters. If someone was never allowed to have a household or a livelihood, they have nothing real to give up when they “renounce”
it’s just going through the motions, not an actual transition. But I would add: the four-stage system isn’t the only way people live dharma. Someone outside it still has real duties tied to their role in society it’s a different path, not an absence of one. Either way, the problem isn’t the four-stage system itself. The problem is whatever blocked their access to it in the first place greed, hierarchy, exclusion.
You have articulated a narrative that has often attacked social life of families. ...the exclusion narrative that is weaponised to divide, rule and attack vulnerable by lack of resources.
An excellent article and one that made me think, as I am still in the Grastha phase when my age would probably dictate a move towards one of the later stages. Could you recommend any reading or practices for someone whose dharma is Grastha while wishing to maintain a spiritual practice? Many thanks in advance.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. The Gṛhastha āśrama is itself a complete spiritual path when lived with dharma. I’d recommend starting with the Bhagavad Gītā, especially its teachings on Karma Yoga. Even a simple daily practice of japa, prayer, or self-study can become a powerful sādhana amidst family life.
The Ashram System is about attitude, not age and watertight segment of life. Even at a young age, some people directly adopt the `Sannyas Ashram`. For example: `Adi Shankaracharya` and `Swami Ramsukhdas Ji Maharaj`. There are a good many examples in the Purāṇas, which narrated the Grahsth Rishis and kings had become father in their extreme old age during their Vanaprastha and Sannyas. It’s due to fulfill their specific duties to save and preserve Dharma.
1. It’s not about going to the forest or wearing saffron. It’s about vritti -your inner state.
2. Karma-Sannyas can happen at any age. Giving up what’s no longer needed -like hard food when teeth weaken, or power when children grow up.
3. The core dharma: “Do your duty without attachment and offer it to the Supreme.” (Gita 3.19)
4. Vanaprastha = Simple, detached life. Lord Ram in exile & King Janaka in palace both lived it.
Thank you so much for these insights. I love this “Age gives the body. Ashram gives the attitude”. A well balanced society to function these concepts are really important and helpful. Hope we talk about these wisdom more against modern life integration.
Yes it is such a wonderful concept to live and lead life. Hope we talk more about it from early age to connect with purushartha for youth to engage. Thanks for reading it and sharing your thoughts.
good points trupti.
when one has not lived certain aspects there is nothing to letgo in sanyaasa. the systemic exclusion causes disjunctures of experiences& demands that become irrelevant. analogy-one who was blocked from working at a jobs outside home cant give money. there are many such issues where healthy growth of communities can be inferred. Your writing adds to one of the many good foundational reference for understanding& practice in sanatana for a young gen.
also notice the weaponised systems [ greed, race ( not to be mistaken for only white vs rest of the world there are many others who call other cultures as slaves,) etc] attack grihasta& brahmacarya stages. it disturbs the experiential learning in communities.
Thank you, this really matters. If someone was never allowed to have a household or a livelihood, they have nothing real to give up when they “renounce”
it’s just going through the motions, not an actual transition. But I would add: the four-stage system isn’t the only way people live dharma. Someone outside it still has real duties tied to their role in society it’s a different path, not an absence of one. Either way, the problem isn’t the four-stage system itself. The problem is whatever blocked their access to it in the first place greed, hierarchy, exclusion.
You have articulated a narrative that has often attacked social life of families. ...the exclusion narrative that is weaponised to divide, rule and attack vulnerable by lack of resources.
An excellent article and one that made me think, as I am still in the Grastha phase when my age would probably dictate a move towards one of the later stages. Could you recommend any reading or practices for someone whose dharma is Grastha while wishing to maintain a spiritual practice? Many thanks in advance.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. The Gṛhastha āśrama is itself a complete spiritual path when lived with dharma. I’d recommend starting with the Bhagavad Gītā, especially its teachings on Karma Yoga. Even a simple daily practice of japa, prayer, or self-study can become a powerful sādhana amidst family life.
Well said.
The Ashram System is about attitude, not age and watertight segment of life. Even at a young age, some people directly adopt the `Sannyas Ashram`. For example: `Adi Shankaracharya` and `Swami Ramsukhdas Ji Maharaj`. There are a good many examples in the Purāṇas, which narrated the Grahsth Rishis and kings had become father in their extreme old age during their Vanaprastha and Sannyas. It’s due to fulfill their specific duties to save and preserve Dharma.
1. It’s not about going to the forest or wearing saffron. It’s about vritti -your inner state.
2. Karma-Sannyas can happen at any age. Giving up what’s no longer needed -like hard food when teeth weaken, or power when children grow up.
3. The core dharma: “Do your duty without attachment and offer it to the Supreme.” (Gita 3.19)
4. Vanaprastha = Simple, detached life. Lord Ram in exile & King Janaka in palace both lived it.
5. Sannyas = Renouncing desires, not duties. Manusmriti: Sarvān kāmān sannyasya.
6. Examples: Bhagirath gave up kingdom, Parikshit gave up throne, Vidur gave up post after duty.
7. Wherever you live, if life is simple, sattvic and selfless you are truly living an every Ashram.
Age gives the body. Ashram gives the attitude.
Thank you so much for these insights. I love this “Age gives the body. Ashram gives the attitude”. A well balanced society to function these concepts are really important and helpful. Hope we talk about these wisdom more against modern life integration.
Relevant for today’s world and clarifies the confusion about the orientation needed for each Asrama. A much needed piece. 👏💐
Yes it is such a wonderful concept to live and lead life. Hope we talk more about it from early age to connect with purushartha for youth to engage. Thanks for reading it and sharing your thoughts.
🙏🙏